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Label:Antonello da Messina transformed the Renaissance portrait in paintings like this one, in which the face emerges from the dark background and the sitter’s steady gaze confronts the viewer. He created this composition shortly before traveling to Venice, where his work greatly influenced Giovanni Bellini (Italian, first documented 1459, died 1516), who is considered the founder of Venetian Renaissance art.

* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit.